Kaine the choice: Hillary Clinton taps Virginia senator as running mate

Hillary Clinton has made her pick for a running mate, and it's a neighbor, Virginia senator Tim Kaine.

The choice, she said Saturday, was a relatively easy one. Kaine had been a front-runner all along to join Clinton on the Democratic ticket. A senator, former Virginia governor and mayor of Richmond, he comes from a top battleground state and, as a fluent Spanish speaker, could help in another: Florida. Victories in both states would likely put the White House out of the reach of Donald Trump and his running mate, Indiana Gov. Mike Pence.

Clinton said she has grown personally comfortable with the likable and even-keeled Kaine as they campaigned together in recent weeks.

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack was another top choice, and insiders say Clinton had a difficult time not choosing him. He is a longtime Clinton family friend.

While Clinton also considered other potential running mates, including Labor Secretary Tom Perez, New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker and Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren, officials said the choice came down to Kaine and Vilsack.

In the end, it was Kaine who got the nod. His experience in foreign affairs was a big plus, as well as his experience as a winning candidate in a pivotal state.

Kaine will be a big asset to the former first lady and secretary of state in her bid to become the nation's first woman president.

Published in Editorials on July 23, 2016 11:55 PM